Bicycle electronic apparatus

ABSTRACT

A bicycle electronic apparatus has a port, in particular a USB port, usable for connecting a removable mass storage device, a computer or other devices. In particular a fast and secure transfer of journey data, apparatus status data, diagnostics data, configuration data etc. stored in the bicycle electronic apparatus is thus allowed.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The field of invention is a bicycle electronic apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Bicycle electronic apparatuses are known and can comprise variouselectronic and/or electromechanical devices that can be mounted on boarda bicycle.

In the case of simple bicycle electronic apparatuses called cyclecomputers, a display unit can be mounted on the handlebars to display tothe cyclist various travel parameters, or journey data, detected bysuitable sensors and possibly suitably processed, such as the traveltime, the traveled distances, the current, average and maximum speed,the toothed crown or the sprocket currently engaged by the chain or thegear ratio etc. The cyclist can normally select and read the data ofinterest on the display during riding. Moreover, one or more values ofsome of the travel data, for example the totals or the minimum andmaximum values, are typically stored in a non-volatile memory of thecycle computer for later consultation, even with the bicycle still.

When the display unit is removably mountable on a support fixed to thehandlebars, the cyclist can therefore consult the travel data as desiredeven far from the bicycle.

Some known removable cycle computers provide for the capability of aconnection for the transmission of the data towards a data receivingstation, like a computer, where the data can be read by the cyclist toevaluate his/her own performance. The use of suitable software programsallows such data to be processed for them to be better interpretedand/or displayed on the computer.

Such bicycle apparatuses in prior art require a computer to be presentfor data transmission. In the case when the memory of the display unitis full, the cyclist has to wait until he/she returns home before beingable to transmit the data. This causes the new acquisitions to be lostor the bicyclist will have to delete the oldest data to allow for thenew data storage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bicycle electronic apparatusincluding a non-volatile data memory and a connection port for aremovable mass storage. The present invention relates to a bicycleelectronic apparatus including a USB port.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the invention shall become clearerfrom the description of a preferred embodiment thereof, made withreference to the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a bicycle electronic apparatus accordingto a first embodiment of the invention and a device equipped with a USBinterface associated therewith;

FIG. 2 schematically shows an insulation device of the apparatus of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram relative to the logic operation of aninterface unit of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 and 5 schematically show data packets exchanged between thecomponents of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows an alternative block diagram relative to the logicoperation of the interface unit of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows a data structure that can be used in the apparatus of FIG.1;

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a bicycle electronic apparatus accordingto another embodiment of the invention and a device equipped with a USBinterface associated therewith;

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a bicycle electronic apparatus accordingto another embodiment of the invention and a device equipped with a USBinterface associated therewith; and

FIG. 10 shows a bicycle equipped with a bicycle electronic apparatusaccording to the invention, showing several possible positions of aconnector thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Introduction to the Embodiments

The invention concerns a bicycle electronic apparatus comprising atleast one non-volatile data memory, characterised by comprising a portfor a removable mass storage.

By providing a port for a removable mass storage, the cyclist can easilyproceed to the data transfer from the non-volatile data memory to such aremovable mass storage and vice-versa at any time, even during travel,without the need to disconnect the display unit. By using a physicalconnection, the data transfer is also fast and secure Preferably, theport is a flash memory port. More preferably, the port is a USB port.

Such a USB port can advantageously be used, as well as for a USB memorykey, an extremely portable device, also for the connection of a computeror a battery charger, as well as mouses, keyboards, hard disc massstorages, image scanners, digital cameras, printers, speaker systems,microphones and more.

Alternatively, the port is a port for a memory card such as a MiniSD orMicroSD, CompactFlash, SmartMedia, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, SecureDigital, xD-Picture memory.

Preferably, moreover, the bicycle electronic apparatus comprises atleast one controller for accessing the at least one non-volatile datamemory and a further controller for managing the data transfer betweenthe at least one controller and the port.

Preferably, a buffer memory is associated with the further controller,for the temporary storage of the data exchanged between the at least onenon-volatile data memory and the removable mass storage.

More preferably, the at least one controller and the further controllercommunicate through a half duplex asynchronous serial communicationprotocol.

Even more preferably, the at least one controller and the furthercontroller communicate through a communication channel with two signallines.

Alternatively, the communication can be a radio transmission (wireless).

Preferably, moreover, the port comprises a connector having power supplyterminals, which can advantageously be exploited for supplying power tolow-power devices.

Preferably, moreover, the further controller and the port are part of aninterface unit removably connectable in the electronic apparatus for abicycle.

In this way, the cyclist can decide to lighten the bicycle by removingthe interface unit when data transfer is not needed.

Preferably, the interface unit further comprises a power supply devicefor its components and/or the connector.

By providing for a self-powered interface unit, the presence ofterminals under tension in the removable connector associated therewithin the remaining part of the bicycle electronic apparatus is avoided.

Preferably, the power supply device comprises an ON/OFF switch, whichallows the interface unit to only be powered when necessary.

The ON/OFF switch can be manually actuated or automatically actuatedwhen the interface is connected, for example a magnetically actuatedswitch.

More preferably, the interface unit comprises a second connectorremovably couplable with a matching connector, the matching connectorbeing connected to a communication channel of the apparatus with theinterposition of an insulation device, the insulation device beingdriveable by the power supply device of the interface unit.

Preferably, the insulation device comprises a number of insulationswitches equal to the number of communication lines of the communicationchannel.

The switches preferably consist of MOSFET, but they could, for example,consist of transistors or relays. The switches could also be switchesactuated automatically when the interface unit is connected, for examplemagnetically actuated switches.

Even more preferably, the matching connector is housed in a casingcontaining a display unit of the apparatus.

Alternatively, the matching connector is housed in a casing containing adrive unit of a gearshift of the apparatus.

In a second aspect thereof, the invention concerns a bicycle electronicapparatus comprising a USB port.Preferably, moreover, the bicycle electronic apparatus comprises atleast one controller and a further controller for managing thecommunication between said at least one controller and said USB port.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a bicycle electronic apparatus 1 according to a firstembodiment of the invention comprises an electronic control unit 2, atleast one actuator 3 associated with a chain guide element or derailleurintended to move a motion transmitting chain among toothed wheelsassociated with the axle of the pedal cranks and/or with the hub of therear wheel of the bicycle, and a drive unit 4 for the actuator(s) 3.

The bicycle electronic apparatus 1 preferably further comprises at leastone position transducer 5 suitable for detecting the position of theactuator 3 and thus indirectly of the derailleur, or for directlydetecting the position of the derailleur, to cooperate with the driveunit 4 and/or with the actuator 3 itself in the movement of thederailleur.

In the bicycle electronic apparatus 1, a plurality of switches 6 of thenormally open type actuated by the cyclist through levers or buttons(401 in FIG. 10) to input manual gearshifting requests and/or one ormore sensors 7 of travel parameters, such as the travel speed, the speedof rotation of the cranks, the current gear, the slope of the terrain,the heart rate, temperature, blood oxygen levels, etc. of the cyclistand similar, are associated with the electronic control unit 2. Thesensors 7, where provided for, are preferably under the control of asecond electronic control unit 11, which can provide for pre-processingtheir outputs.

The bicycle electronic apparatus 1 further comprises a display unit 8 toprovide information to the cyclist, to which preferably further switches9 are associated, actuated by the cyclist through buttons or amulti-direction switch (joystick) to select the type of data to bedisplayed and/or to input other parameters and/or commands, preferablyby selecting areas of the display of the display unit 8 in the way of agraphical user interface.

The electronic control unit 2 is preferably positioned near to thecontrol members (402 in FIG. 10) that can be actuated by the cyclist,namely in the proximity of the handlebars, in particular it can behoused in the casing (403 in FIG. 10) of the display unit 8 fixed to thecentre of the handlebars.

The drive unit 4 is preferably positioned in the proximity of theactuators 3 (404, 405 in FIG. 10), for example in the proximity of abottle-holder (406 in FIG. 10) of the bicycle.

The electronic control unit 2, the display unit 8, the drive unit 4 andthe second electronic control unit or sensor unit 11 communicate througha communication channel 10 through a suitable communication protocol.

The communication is preferably via cable, but alternatively thecommunication can be a radio transmission (wireless).

FIG. 1 also schematically shows a power supply line 12 of the componentsof the bicycle electronic apparatus 1 while power supply sources are notshown. The bicycle electronic apparatus 1 can comprise one or more powersupply sources, typically in the form of rechargeable batteries, andpreferably comprises a first power supply source placed in a casingcontaining the electronic control unit 2 and a second power supplysource placed in a casing (403 in FIG. 10) containing or removablysupporting the display unit 8.

The bicycle electronic apparatus 1 according to the invention furthercomprises a removable interface unit 50.

The interface unit 50 can be connected through a first connector CN1thereof to a respective connector CN1′ associated with the remainingpart of the electronic apparatus 1 in a suitable physical point of thecommunication channel 10, for example in the proximity of the displayunit 8 and thus close to the handlebars,—such as the connector CN1′shown at the casing 403 in FIG. 10 or such as the connector CN1′ shownat the left control member 402 in FIG. 10—or in the proximity of thedrive unit 4—such as the connector CN1′ shown in the proximity of therear derailleur 404 or the front derailleur 405 in FIG. 10, andespecially in the area of the bottle-holder, such as the connector CN1′shown at the bottleholder 406 in FIG. 10.

Between the communication channel 10 and the connector CN1′ a drivableinsulation device 51 is arranged. The drivable insulation device 51,shown in greater detail in FIG. 2, comprises a number—two in theillustrated case—of insulation switches 51 a, 51 b equal to the numberof communication lines of the communication channel 10 and drivable by acontrol signal 52 received along a line 52 from the interface unit 50when connected.

The switches 51 a and 51 b of the insulation device 51 are of thenormally open type and therefore, when the interface unit 50 is notconnected, allow the electrical insulation of the terminals of theconnector CN1′. The switches 51 a and 51 b preferably consist ofMOSFETs, but they could also include transistors or relays. The switches51 a, 51 b could also be switches automatically actuated when theinterface unit 50 is connected to the connector CN1′, for examplemagnetically actuated switches associated with one or more magnets inthe connector CN1.

The interface unit 50 comprises, in addition to the connector CN1 forconnection to the communication channel 10, a USB port, comprising atransceiver 54 and a connector CN2, for the connection to an electronicdevice 99 equipped with a USB interface, for example to a USB memory key99. The interface unit 50 further comprises a control unit 53 of thecommunication between the USB port 54, CN2 and the communication channel10.

The connector CN2 can be one of the known USB types, like for exampletype A, type B, mini-A, mini-B and micro type.

The control unit 53 and the USB transceiver 54 are preferably integratedin a micro-controller (indicated with a broken line in FIG. 1), such asthe integrated circuit PIC18F87J50 by MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC.,Arizona, U.S.A.

The interface unit 50 further comprises a power supply and disconnectingdevice 55, comprising a battery power supply source 56 and preferably anON/OFF switch 60.

The switch 60 allows the interface unit 50 to only be powered whenstrictly necessary, i.e. when it is connected to the connector CN1′.Such a switch 60 can be manually actuated or automatically actuated whenthe interface is connected to the connector CN1′, for example amagnetically actuated switch associated with a magnet in the connectorCN1′.

The power supply and disconnecting device 55 provides a suitable powersupply voltage to the control unit 53, to the transceiver 54 and to theterminals of the connector CN2 for powering the USB device 99 in casethis is a passive device, like in the case of a USB memory key.Typically, the voltage supplied to the terminals of the connector CN2 is+5V.

The power supply and disconnecting device 55 also provides the controlsignal on the line 52 for the insulation device 51, namely a signal forclosing the switches 51 a and 51 b.

The control unit 53 of the interface unit 50 takes care of managing thecommunication on the channel 10 with the remaining components of thebicycle electronic apparatus 1 and of managing the communication withthe USB device 99, by opening and closing a communication channel withthe USB device 99 through the USB transceiver 54.

In case the USB device 99 is a USB memory key, the control unit 53 morespecifically takes care of generating and sending over the communicationchannel 10 requests for data of interest, of receiving the requesteddata from the communication channel 10, and of sending them to the USBmemory key 99, possibly with prior temporary storage in a buffer memory13 thereof.

The communication over the channel 10 among the various components ofthe bicycle electronic apparatus 1, including the interface unit 50,preferably takes place according to the following half duplexasynchronous serial communication protocol.

The communication channel 10 comprises two common signal lines “Tx/Rx”and “WU”, to which the various controllers of the bicycle electronicapparatus 1 are connected, namely the electronic control unit 2, thedisplay unit 8 when connected in case it is removable, the drive unit 4,the second electronic control unit or sensor unit 11 if present, and thecontrol unit 53 of the interface 50 when connected.

The signal line Tx/Rx is a transmission/receiving line for a two-waydata transmission among the various components 2, 4, 8, 11, 53, whilethe signal line WU is a two-values status line used for thecommunication protocol. For example, the logic value “0” of the statusline WU indicates that the transmission line Tx/Rx is busy and the logicvalue “1” of the status line WU indicates that the transmission lineTx/Rx is available for a communication process.

When one of the units 2, 4, 8, 11, 53, or sender, has something totransmit to another of the units 2, 4, 8, 11, 53, or receiver, it checkswhether the transmission line Tx/Rx is busy or available by reading thevalue of the status line WU. If the value of the line WU indicates thatthe transmission line Tx/Rx is busy (WU=0), the sender waits until thevalue of the line WU indicates that the line Tx/Rx has become available(WU=1). As soon as the transmission line Tx/Rx is available, the senderswitches the status of the status line WU, taking it to “0” to occupythe communication network.

The sender then transmits a packet of serial data over the transmissionline Tx/Rx.

Each data packet comprises one or more header bytes depending upon theused communication protocol, and one or more data bytes.

There can also be transmission control data, for example parity check orcheck-sum bits.

The header bytes comprise the indication of the instructions that mustbe carried out by the receiver, such information being defined in termsof a code that also encodes the receiver itself, as well as the addressof the sender.

The data bytes depend, in length, structure and content, upon which unit2, 4, 8, 11, 53 is the sender, upon which unit 2, 4, 8, 11, 53 is thereceiver, and upon the type of information that is transmitted.

When the status line WU is taken to “0” by the sender, the networkconnected units 2, 4, 8, 11, 53 begin to read the packet of serial datasent by the sender along the transmission line Tx/Rx. The unit 2, 4, 8,11, 53 that recognizes to be the receiver of the transmission, throughthe decoding of the header byte(s) of the data packet, becomes thereceiver and can reply by transmitting over the transmission line Tx/Rxa packet of serial data indicative of an acknowledgement of receiptintended for the current sender. The other network connected units 2, 4,8, 11, 53 (except for the sender and the receiver) are not involved inthe transmission process and can perform other activities.

At the end of the transmission from the receiver to the sender, thesender takes the status line WU to “1” thus releasing the communicationnetwork 10. In case none of the network connected units 2, 4, 8, 11, 53connected in the network replies to the sender, for example in the caseof malfunction of the receiver, the sender releases the network after apredetermined time out, taking the status line WU to “1”.

The described half duplex asynchronous serial communication is a “randomaccess multi-master communication system”, where the exclusive use ofthe network is carried out by the first “sender” unit 2, 4, 8, 11, 53that requests the network.

If more than one unit 2, 4, 8, 11, 53 simultaneously request the use ofthe network, the exclusive use of the network is hierarchicallyestablished through a priority defined by the firmware of the variousunits 2, 4, 8, 11, 53.

This occurs, for example, when two or more units 2, 4, 8, 11, 53 havesomething to transmit while the network is busy (status line WU=“0”) sothat they must wait until the network becomes available again. At themoment when the network becomes available again (the status line WU istaken to “1”), the two or more units are all ready to occupy thenetwork, and only the unit highest up in the hierarchy becomes thesender.

Through the interface unit 50, the bicycle electronic apparatus 1 isable to communicate with a device 99 equipped with a USB interfaceconnected to the connector CN2 of the USB port 54, CN2.

The interface unit 50 is firstly connected through its connector CN1 tothe connector CN1′. The power supply and disconnecting device 55generates the control signal 52 for the insulation device 51 causing theswitches 51 a and 51 b to close and therefore the connection of theinterface unit 50, in particular of its control unit 53, to thecommunication channel 10.

At this point the cyclist can connect the device 99 equipped with a USBinterface to the connector CN2 of the interface 50.

The device 99 can also be first connected to the interface 50 throughthe connector CN2, and then the assembly consisting of the interface 50and the USB device 99 can be connected to the connector CN1′.

In a preferred embodiment, the device 99 is a USB memory key, used todownload various travel data, apparatus status data, diagnostics data,configuration data, etc. recorded during the use of the bicycle, forexample: the outputs of the sensors 7 such as the travel speed, thespeed of rotation of the pedal cranks, the slope of the terrain, theheart rate of the cyclist, etc., collected by the second electronic unit11; the positions of the derailleurs over time, alignment parameters ofthe actuators with respect to the toothed wheels, parameters of thelogic for evaluating the travel conditions etc., collected by the driveunit 4; the moments when the manual commands were entered through theswitches 6, collected by the electronic control unit 2; the displaypreferences and other settings collected by the display unit 8 etc. Allof the aforementioned various data can be stored in non-volatile datamemories, 14, 15, 16, 17, respectively, of the individual components 2,4, 8, 11, or they can be stored as a whole in the display unit 8 or inthe drive unit 4.

The logic operation of the interface unit 50 and in particular of thecontrol unit 53 is described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.3.

The start of operation (block 100) represents the switching on of theinterface 50 through the ON/OFF switch 60. In a block 101 cyclicallycarried out until a positive outcome, the control unit 53 checks whetherthe USB memory key 99 is connected to the connector CN2. Such adetection can, for example, be carried out through a software querythrough the USB transceiver 54.

If the USB memory key 99 is present, in a subsequent block 102 thecontrol unit 53 checks the actual connection to the communicationchannel 10, for example through sending a presence request data packetto one of the other units 2, 4, 8 and 11 and receiving a reply datapacket. If the communication channel 10 is not present, for examplebecause the interface unit 50 is not connected to the connector CN1′,the execution returns to block 101.

If, on the other hand, the communication channel 10 is present, in asubsequent block 103 the control unit 53, through the USB transceiver54, takes care of opening the communication channel towards the USBmemory key, preferably according to what is defined by the standardprotocol called USB Mass Storage protocol.

A data acquisition cycle is then carried out. In a block 104, thecontrol unit 53 checks whether all data has been acquired by one or moreof the components 2, 4, 8, 11 of the bicycle electronic apparatus 1connected to the communication channel 10, in particular the data or apart of the data stored in one of the non-volatile data memories 14-17.At the first execution of the block 104, the check is certainly negativesince the USB memory key 99 and the interface unit 50 have just beenconnected and there has not yet been any data acquisition. In thesubsequent block 105, the control unit 53 therefore carries out arequest and acquisition of a datum through the communication channel 10.The acquired datum is preferably stored in an area of the buffer memory13 of the interface 50 (block 106), and then sent to the USB memory key99 (block 107) through the transceiver 54 and the connector CN2. Theexecution then returns to block 104 of checking whether all data hasbeen requested. If such a check is negative, blocks 105, 106 and 107 areagain carried out for the acquisition and transmission to the USB memorykey 99 of the subsequent datum. If, on the other hand, the check ofblock 104 is positive, namely if all data has been acquired, theexecution moves on to a block 108 in which, through the transceiver 54,the communication channel 10 towards the USB memory key 99 is closed,preferably according to the USB Mass Storage protocol and the executionends (block 109).

Simultaneously with the above indicated operations, the display unit 8can display the advancing of the various steps of the transfer, forexample with indications of the type “USB memory key present”, “Startdata transfer”, “End data transfer”, “% data transferred” or indicationof anomalies.

Moreover, once the travel, status of the apparatus, diagnostics,configuration data, etc., have been sent to the interface unit 50 fortransferral into the USB memory key 99, the display unit 8 or othercomponent 2, 4, 11 where these had been stored can proceed to deletethem. Deletion can take place automatically or, preferably, the controlunit 53, after the USB communication channel has been closed in block108, shall take care of sending a suitable data deletion instructionthrough the communication channel 10. Deletion can in any case besubordinated to a manual command imparted by the cyclist.

The request and acquisition of a datum of interest “n” from thecommunication channel 10 of block 105 can be managed by the control unit53 of the interface 50 on the two lines Tx/Rx and WU according to theabove described protocol.

For example, the control unit 53 can request a datum from one of thecomponents 2, 4, 8, 11, for example the display unit 8, by sending overthe communication channel 10 a request data packet, schematicallyrepresented in FIG. 4. The request data packet comprises, in the headersbytes, in code form, the indication of who is the receiver, the displayunit 8 in the example, and the indication for the receiver itself of theparticular type of datum of interest to be transmitted in reply. Thetype of datum of interest is preferably indicated in one or more databyte(s) (4th byte of the reply data packet, for example) directlythrough its address in the internal memory 14-17 of the receiver, theaddress in the memory 16 of the display unit 8 in this example.

In reply, the receiver, the display unit 8 in the example, sends overthe communication channel 10 a data packet, schematically represented inFIG. 5. The reply data packet comprises, in the headers bytes, theindication that the receiver is the control unit 53 of the interfaceunit 50 and, in the data bytes, the value of the requested datum (5thdata byte), preferably together with the repetition (in the 4th databyte) of its address in the internal memory 14-17 of the component 2, 4,8, 11 involved, the address in the memory 16 of the display unit 8 inthe example.

In the USB memory key 99, in the block 107 of FIG. 3, it is possible tostore only the value of the datum, or also the address in the internalmemory 14-17 of the component 2, 4, 8, 11 involved. The second way ispreferred in case storage on USB memory key is for backup purposes andtherefore the capability of restoring thereof in the component 2, 4, 8,11 is provided.

FIG. 6 represents a variant of operation, which differs from the onedescribed with reference to FIG. 3 in that the n-th datum is nottransmitted to the USB memory key 99 immediately after it has beenacquired and stored (blocks 105, 106 and 107), rather all data ofinterest are firstly acquired and stored in the memory 13 of theinterface unit 50, through the cyclical execution of blocks 104, 105 and106, and then transferred in a single transmission towards the USBmemory key 99 in block 107.

The data downloaded in the USB memory key 99 according to the blockdiagram of FIG. 3 or of FIG. 6 can subsequently be downloaded into aremote computer in order to carry out a diagnostic of the bicycleelectronic apparatus 1, to evaluate the performance of the cyclist forthe purposes of his/her training through a suitable application program,etc.

In a preferred embodiment, the data transfer from the bicycle electronicapparatus 1 to the USB memory key 99 takes place fully for all datacontained in a selected part of the memory 16 of the display unit 8—orof the memory 14, 15, 17 of another of the components 2, 4, 11—, withouttaking into account the structure of the data itself. The correctinterpretation of the mass of data is left to the application program.In other words, the transferred data have a meaning for the display unit8, are meaningless for the interface unit 50 and for the USB memory key99, and have a meaning for the application program onto computer.

An example structure of the travel data, apparatus status data,diagnostics data, configuration data, etc. stored as a whole in thedisplay unit 8 and transferred to the USB memory key 99 in the wayoutlined above is represented in FIG. 7. Each recording corresponds to arecord 70 containing: a date field, which preferably comprises day,month, year, hour, minute and second sub-fields, in which the moment ofdata acquisition by the respective sensors or transducers is stored, aswell as one or more fields intended for the value at such a moment ofthe speed, cadence, heart rate, power, position of the front derailleur,position of the rear derailleur, temperature, diagnostic values,distance traveled etc.

In an alternative that can be preferable when the storage of the traveldata, apparatus status data, diagnostics data, configuration data, etc.is distributed among the components 2, 4, 8, 11 of the bicycleelectronic apparatus, the data structure can, for each recording,provide for the date field having the aforementioned format, a fieldencoding the type of datum, and a value relative to the datum.

The USB memory key 99 can also be used to download into the bicycleelectronic apparatus 1 the values of various configuration parameters ofthe bicycle electronic apparatus, such as—only by way of anexample—parameters of the logic for evaluating the travel conditionsused by the drive unit 4 for managing the gearshift and preferredsettings of the display unit 8.

Still alternatively, the device 99 equipped with a USB interfaceconnectable to the interface unit 50 can be a computer, to directly takecare of downloading the travel data, apparatus status data, diagnosticsdata, configuration data, etc. or of configuring the bicycle electronicapparatus 1.

The USB connector CN2, as well as—in the case of the embodiment of FIG.8—the connector CN1′, can advantageously be further usable for theconnection of a battery charger, possibly also for recharging thebattery(ies) for supplying power to the other components of the bicycleelectronic apparatus 1.

Furthermore, the USB connector CN2 can also be used for the connectionof mouses, keyboards, hard disc mass storage, image scanners, digitalcameras, printers, speaker systems, microphones and more.

FIG. 8 represents a bicycle electronic apparatus 1 according to anotherembodiment of the invention, which differs from that of FIG. 1 in thatit does not have the insulation device 51 upstream of the connectorCN1′, and in that the interface unit, indicated here with referencenumeral 150, does not have the power supply and disconnecting device 55.

According to this embodiment, the connector CN1′ has terminals leadingto the communication channel 10 and to the power supply line 12 of thebicycle electronic apparatus 1. The connector CN1 has correspondingterminals to take the signal lines “Tx/Rx” and “WU” of the communicationchannel 10 to the control unit 53 and the power supply lines to thecontrol unit 53, to the USB transceiver 54 and to the terminals of theUSB connector CN2. There can be an optional block 155 inside theinterface unit 150 to adapt, if necessary, the voltage values of thepower supply lines 12 of the bicycle electronic apparatus 1 to thestandard power supply values for devices equipped with USB interface,+5V in the case of the USB memory key 99.

The use and operation of such an embodiment is substantially the same aswhat has been previously described, wherein the data transfer procedureaccording to FIG. 3 or FIG. 6 can begin (block 100) as soon as theinterface unit 150, possibly already provided with a USB memory key 99,is connected to the connector CN1′ and thus powered by the power supplyline 12 of the bicycle electronic apparatus 1.

FIG. 9 represents a bicycle electronic apparatus 1 according to anotherembodiment of the invention, which differs from that of FIG. 8 in thatthe interface unit, indicated here with reference numeral 250, is notremovable through connectors, rather it is integrated and thereforepermanently connected to the communication channel 10 and to the powersupply line 12 of the bicycle electronic apparatus 1. Connector CN2 maybe positioned in any of the positions described above with reference toconnector CN1′ of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, as an alternative to the insulation device51, as well as in the embodiment of FIG. 8, there could be otherinsulation means for the connector CN1′, such as a removable cover madeof an electrically insulating material, preferably tin.

According to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 8, in the case ofcommunication through radio transmission (wireless), the interface unit50 or 150, and in particular its control unit 53, shall be provided witha radio transmitter/receiver and, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, theinsulation device 51 shall be omitted.

As an alternative to the half duplex asynchronous serial communicationdescribed above, among the components 2, 4, 8, 11, 53 a duplex serial,synchronous serial, parallel communication could be established.

Moreover, not all of the controllers 2, 4, 8, 11 of the bicycleelectronic apparatus 1 are necessarily present. For example, in the caseof a mechanical gearshift, the electronic control unit 2 and the driveunit 4, as well as the actuators 3 and the transducers 5, are absent. Inthis case, moreover, the sensors 7 could lead directly to the displayunit 8 (in this case also known as cycle computer) and therefore thecommunication channel 10 and the communication protocol could bereplaced by a dedicated communication line between the display unit 8and the interface unit 50, 150, 250.

Similarly, in the case of a totally automatic gearshift, the electroniccontrol unit 2 shall be absent and the display unit 8 could also beabsent. Also in this case, the formation of a network through thecommunication channel 10 and the communication protocol may besuperfluous, a dedicated communication line between the interface unit50, 150, 250 and the drive unit, to which possible sensors 7 lead, beingsufficient.

Alternatively or in addition to the port 54, CN2 for a device equippedwith a USB interface, the bicycle electronic apparatus 1 and inparticular its interface unit 50, 150, 250 could be equipped with a portfor other types of memory card, such as a port for MiniSD or MicroSD,CompactFlash, SmartMedia, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Secure Digital,xD-Picture memory, which could simply consist of a connector, in otherwords without providing for a transceiver.

More generally, the bicycle electronic apparatus 1 and in particular itsinterface unit 50, 150, 250 could be equipped with a port for othertypes of flash memory or even more generally for other types ofremovable mass storage.

1. Bicycle electronic apparatus comprising at least one non-volatiledata memory, a port for connecting a removable mass storage device. 2.Bicycle electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the port is aport for a flash memory.
 3. Bicycle electronic apparatus according toclaim 2, wherein the port is a USB port.
 4. Bicycle electronic apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the port is a port for a memory card. 5.Bicycle electronic apparatus according to claim 1, comprising at leastone controller for accessing the at least one non-volatile data memoryand a further controller for managing the data transfer between the atleast one controller and the port.
 6. Bicycle electronic apparatusaccording to claim 5, comprising a buffer memory associated with thefurther controller.
 7. Bicycle electronic apparatus according to claim5, wherein the at least one controller and the further controllercommunicate through a half duplex asynchronous serial communicationprotocol.
 8. Bicycle electronic apparatus according to claim 5, whereinthe at least one controller and the further controller communicatethrough a communication channel with two signal lines.
 9. Bicycleelectronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the port comprises aconnector having power supply terminals.
 10. Bicycle electronicapparatus according to claim 5, wherein the further controller and theport are part of an interface unit removably connectable in the bicycleelectronic apparatus.
 11. Bicycle electronic apparatus according toclaim 10, wherein the interface unit further comprises a power supplydevice for at least one of its components and the connector.
 12. Bicycleelectronic apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the power supplydevice comprises an ON/OFF switch.
 13. Bicycle electronic apparatusaccording to claim 11, wherein the interface unit comprises a secondconnector removably couplable with a matching connector the matchingconnector being connected to a communication channel of the apparatuswith the interposition of an insulation device, the insulation devicebeing drivable by the power supply device of the interface unit. 14.Bicycle electronic apparatus according to claim 13, wherein theinsulation device comprises a number of insulation switches equal to thenumber of communication lines of the communication channel.
 15. Bicycleelectronic apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the matchingconnector is housed in a casing containing a display unit of theapparatus.
 16. Bicycle electronic apparatus according to claim 13,wherein the matching connector is housed in a casing containing acontrol unit of a gearshift of the apparatus.
 17. A bicycle electronicapparatus comprising a USB port.
 18. Bicycle electronic apparatusaccording to claim 17, comprising at least one controller and a furthercontroller for managing the communication between the at least onecontroller and the USB port.
 19. Bicycle electronic apparatus accordingto claim 18, comprising a buffer memory associated with the furthercontroller.
 20. Bicycle electronic apparatus according to claim 18,wherein the at least one controller and the further controllercommunicate through a half duplex asynchronous serial communicationprotocol.
 21. Bicycle electronic apparatus according to claim 18,wherein the at least one controller and the further controllercommunicate through a communication channel with two signal lines. 22.Bicycle electronic apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the portcomprises a connector having power supply terminals.
 23. Bicycleelectronic apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the furthercontroller and the port are part of an interface unit removablyconnectable in the bicycle electronic apparatus.
 24. Bicycle electronicapparatus according to claim 23, wherein the interface unit furthercomprises a power supply device for at least one of its components andthe connector.
 25. Bicycle electronic apparatus according to claim 24,wherein the power supply device comprises an ON/OFF switch.
 26. Bicycleelectronic apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the interface unitcomprises a second connector removably couplable with a matchingconnector, the matching connector being connected to a communicationchannel of the apparatus with the interposition of an insulation device,the insulation device being drivable by the power supply device of theinterface unit.
 27. Bicycle electronic apparatus according to claim 26,wherein the insulation device comprises a number of insulation switchesequal to the number of communication lines of the communication channel.28. Bicycle electronic apparatus according to claim 26, wherein thematching connector is housed in a casing containing a display unit ofthe apparatus.
 29. Bicycle electronic apparatus according to claim 26,wherein the matching connector is housed in a casing containing a driveunit of a gearshift of the apparatus.